Reviews tagging 'Forced institutionalization'

Vita Nostra by Marina Dyachenko, Sergey Dyachenko

4 reviews

applejacksbooks's review

challenging dark mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This book is deliciously weird. Like at no point did I know where this was going and I am very excited to read the second one. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Forced institutionalization and Body horror

thesawyerbean's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

How do I even begin to describe this book? I am sitting here trying to digest what I just read, awe-struck, troubled, befuddled.

This was more an experience than a book - you were drip-fed the tiniest morsels of information, learning as much as the protagonist Sasha did at each moment, never being explicitly explained the concepts and yet finding yourself enthralled and cognisant within them later on. You grasp and plead for meaning concurrently with Sasha, and unfurl another dimension of complexity yearning to be discovered.

This book was brimming with magic, dark fantasy, science, philosophy and metaphysical themes. I do not think I am intellectual enough to actually fully understand this novel, but it was certainly a delight to try. In parts I was very confused and had to reread whole sections, but honestly it kind of added to the atmosphere. Fans of dark academia like me would appreciate this read.

There are words that are simply trash, refuse, they turn into nothing immediately after they are spoken. Others throw shadows, hideous and pathetic, and sometimes gorgeous and powerful, capable of saving a dying soul.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Child death, Blood, Death, Death of parent, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Cursing, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, and Injury/Injury detail

naomi_k's review

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Body horror, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, and Death

Moderate: Gaslighting, Vomit, Stalking, Forced institutionalization, Toxic relationship, and Panic attacks/disorders

Minor: Bullying, Sexual content, Ableism, Alcohol, and Adult/minor relationship

ivana's review

challenging dark mysterious reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Suicide attempt, and Vomit